Menu

Tag Archives: Best New Artist

As any new music artist hopes to achieve when they first break into the scene, they not only hope to claim ultimate mainstream success, but to also get nominated for a Best New Artist Grammy award. This year, Sam Smith, Bastille, Brandy Clark, Haim and (somehow) Iggy Azalea are all nominated, however, we think it’s a safe bet to say that Mr. Adele, err, Smith will claim victory in this category. For some, winning this award as proven to be most flourishing, as past recipients like Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow and John Legend have all gone on to accomplish mounting success. However, for other past winners, winning this award has proved to be a deadly kiss of music death. It’s hard to believe that these next eights acts won the coveted Best New artist Grammy-and then were never heard from again. Who are they, exactly? Well, you just have to dive into your special Grammy edition of “Forgot-About-Friday” to find out.

Tracy Chapman/1989

While she delivered another hit single a few years later with, “Give Me One Reason,” after that, well, Ms. Chapman pretty much drove her “Fast Car” straight to “Forgot-About-Friday” land.

“Fast Car”

Arrested Development/1993

’90s kids rejoice as Arrested Development has made the Mixtape! Who can forget their smash hits, “Tennesse,””Mr. Wendal” and “Everybody People?” Even though the ecletic group released a handful albums in the mid-’90s and early-’00s (‘Zingalamaduni,’ anyone?), Trench and company(Hey, Dionne Farris!), seemingly fell off the music map after their victorious win in ’93. At the end of the day, #Mr.Wendal4lyfe.

“Mr. Wendal”

Paula Cole/1998

I’m blaming the now defunct WB show, ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ for Paula’s demise for the use of her hit, “I Don’t Wanna Wait” as its theme song. However when it comes to her other hit (were there any more?), “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone,” we say, giddy-up.

“Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?”

Shelby Lynne/2001

We said in in 2001, and we’ll say it again in 2015-“Who?”

“Wall In Your Heart”

Norah Jones/2003

Remember that time when Norah Jones was an unstoppable force to be reckoned with in the music industry? Sigh….

“Sunrise”

Evanescence/2004

Somehow the alt-goth rockers managed to beat 50 Cent in this category that night. That’s all I’m saying about this one. Oh, and let’s not forget that the single that put them on the map, “Bring Me to Life,” was featured in the Ben Affleck/Jennifer Garner ’03 box-office bomb, ‘Daredevil.’

“Bring Me to Life”

Esperanza Spalding/2011

Perhaps the most known on the list by Justin Bieber fans, you guys might recall that when Ms. Spalding won this coveted trophy, all of those Belieb-errrs pretty much wanted off with her head. Maybe they finally got her…..

“I Know You Know”

Bon Iver/2012

Oh where, oh where is Bon Iver? Does anyone know? At least fellow nominee Nicki Minaj didn’t win that year, so it’s not all bad, I guess. However, his remake of “I Can’t Make You Love Me” will give us life for all eternity.